Hormone Case Reportedly Settled

Genentech Inc. and UC San Francisco have settled a decade-long legal fight over the patent for the lucrative human growth hormone Protropin, the Associated Press has learned.

The deal was confirmed late Friday by a source familiar with the case. Terms were not disclosed. The agreement is expected to go before the UC Board of Regents on Nov. 18.

Genentech spokeswoman Laura Leber denied that there was a settlement. A UC San Francisco spokeswoman declined to comment.

A federal jury deadlocked in June on the lawsuit filed by the university, which accused the firm of stealing a patented DNA molecule and using it to develop Protropin, its top-selling product. Genentech admitted the molecule had been stolen, but insisted its scientists developed the drug on their own.